Willem van Hanegem: The Crooked One is still the voice of the people – and now he has his own Feyenoord Hoodie

You know what’s great about football? The old guard never really goes away. Especially when your name is Willem van Hanegem. The Crooked One is back in the news, and as always, he does it his way. No messing about, just straight up. And let’s be honest, we need that in this age of bland interviews and tired clichés.

Van der Vaart raves, but The Crooked One keeps his feet on the ground

While a former Oranje international is coming out in the media saying he’s spotted “the new Frenkie de Jong,” Van Hanegem is there to put things in perspective. I was at a match the other day and saw the kid play. Yeah, nice touch, sure. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The bloke played at the highest level himself, so when he says a new talent is on the rise, you don’t just laugh it off.

But Willem, he thinks deeper. He knows how things work at the Kuip. It’s not enough to just be able to pass a ball; you’ve got to have the guts for it too. That down-to-earth attitude is exactly what this new generation needs. Van Hanegem isn’t a man for hype. He’s the man of “first show us what you’ve got” and “we haven’t won anything yet.” And as always, he’s simply right.

Kees Smit and the gym: Willem’s take

Take Kees Smit’s debut for Oranje. Everyone was cheering, rightly so. But what did Van Hanegem say about it? Exactly. That it’s nice, but now he needs to hit the gym. It sounds harsh, but it’s not. It’s honest. Willem van Hanegem sees that young players are getting better technically, but physically? That’s where he sometimes sees a problem.

I remember back in Willem’s day, he had to play against absolute beasts of defenders. A fancy dummy doesn’t help much if you’re already on the deck after the first tackle. That’s why he talks about the gym. It’s not a dig at Kees Smit, it’s a warning to all the young lads. You might be called the new Frenkie de Jong, or the new Van Hanegem, but if you’re not strong enough, you’ll get chewed up and spat out at the top level.

That’s the charm of The Crooked One. He remains the barometer of Dutch football. Not because he’s always right, but because he calls it like he sees it. And that resonates with people.

The Feyenoord Hoodie that fits a legend

And then there’s the other news doing the rounds. Away from the pitch, this Feyenoord Hoodie Willem van Hanegem White suddenly appears. You see it everywhere. It’s not just any hoodie, it’s a statement. White, sharp, with a certain presence. It’s a perfect fit for the man. No fuss, no frills. Just good gear.

When I see a M6 & Willem van Hanegem collection like this, I immediately get why it’s a hit. It’s not just a tribute to a footballer, it’s a tribute to a mindset. That Rotterdam mindset, of De Kuip, of the streets. It’s about recognition. You put that hoodie on, and you show what you stand for. For the hard grafters, for the people who understand the game, for those not afraid to get their hands dirty.

Why this combo works so well

The worlds of football and fashion are increasingly merging, but it rarely feels as authentic as this release. It’s not a commercial gimmick; it’s an extension of the person. Here are three reasons why it sticks:

• Authenticity: The Crooked One isn’t a sales pitch. He embodies the spirit of Rotterdam. You can’t fake that.
• Timelessness: While snowboarders are conquering the World Cup in the background, Van Hanegem remains a constant fixture in the Dutch sporting psyche.
• Directness: His comments about the new generation needing to be toughened up in the gym align perfectly with the hoodie’s message: no nonsense, just do it.

Time will tell

That new Frenkie de Jong, that Kees Smit debut, they’re all great stories. But as Willem would say: “We’ll see in a few years’ time.” For now, we enjoy what is. And what is, is a legend who, after all these years, is still getting people talking, whether in the stands or in the wardrobe.

If you see him walking around in that white hoodie, you get it. It’s not just a piece of clothing. It’s a nod to the time when football was about character. And as long as Willem van Hanegem is around to talk about it, that feeling stays alive.